S3 E2: Export, Import, Tariffs, and Trade Compliance for Hardware Startups with Gabrielle Griffith

The Builder Circle · 14 Oct 2025 · 1h 05m

What this episode covers

Gabrielle Griffith, Director at BPE Global, explains the critical importance of HTS codes, country of origin, and substantial transformation for hardware startups navigating global trade. She details how tariffs are calculated based on these factors and warns against common misconceptions, such as assuming moving assembly to Mexico automatically avoids Section 301 tariffs on Chinese components. The episode covers practical strategies for tariff engineering, including working with customs brokers, understanding USMCA rules, and maintaining audit-ready documentation to avoid costly penalties.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 23m

    Bonus: Tariffs 101 with Aaron Alpeter

    Aaron Alpeter, founder of supply chain consultancy Izba, explains the mechanics and strategic objectives of recent US tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China. He details how these tariffs, justified by national emergency clauses in the USMCA, impose a 25% duty on products from Mexico and Canada and 10% from China, impacting everything from raw ingredients to co-manufacturing costs. Alpeter advises brands to engage in tariff engineering, cost sensitivity analysis, and alternative sourcing to mitigate the financial shock of these rapidly evolving trade policies.

  • EMS@C-LEVEL · 17m

    EMS & The Economist - Tariffs Special - April 13th, 2025

    IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac joins host Philip Stoten to analyze the rapid evolution of US tariff policy, noting a shift from country-specific to sectorial tariffs targeting electronics regardless of origin. DuBravac explains that while the administration aims to incentivize domestic production, the reliance on imported components like PCBs means US-made goods will still face price increases. The episode highlights how this policy volatility is causing business leaders to pause investment, raising the probability of a shallow recession starting in Q3 2025. DuBravac warns that constant policy changes create uncertainty that hinders long-term supply chain planning and global trade relationships.

  • Thoroughly Considered · 1h 11m

    124: Tariff Talk

    Myke Hurley joins hosts Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat to discuss the impact of tariffs on their business, explaining how they mitigate costs by performing final assembly and value-added machining in the US while sourcing raw metal parts from Asia. The group also covers the discontinuation of the Material Dock due to its complex, multi-supplier supply chain and low sales volume, and reviews past predictions, including a debate on whether DSLR camera sales are recovering. Finally, they discuss Studio Neat's new Pocket Notebook, highlighting its use of Colorplan paper and GeoSmyth's Abstract recycled paper, and touch on the strategic shift toward automated, AI-driven marketing.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 03m

    Dotty Ernest Annty Frost

    Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss Gammell's recent experience hiring paid tutors to accelerate his learning of GCC and debugging for a new hardware project, contrasting this with informal mentorship. They analyze the economic viability of ultra-low-cost PCB manufacturers like JLCPCB and the real-world impact of US-China tariffs on component sourcing, citing a personal $500 tariff bill. The episode concludes with a discussion on Australian legislation protecting the title 'Professional Engineer' and the history of Wi-Fi patents.

  • EMS@C-LEVEL · 13m

    Down at the Doctor's with Dr. Bill Cardoso and Dr. Eric Miscoll: AI Curiosity, Tariff Turmoil, Economic Uncertainty, and Much More

    Philip Stoten hosts Dr. Bill Cardoso, CEO of Creative Electron, and Dr. Eric Miscoll, Publisher of EMSNOW, for a post-show discussion at APEX 2025. They analyze the industry's shift from broad Industry 4.0 ambitions to pragmatic, small-scale AI projects with clear KPIs to avoid paralysis. The group also examines how tariff volatility is disrupting supply chains, particularly for automotive components crossing USMCA borders, and why business agility is becoming the primary competitive advantage for mid-sized EMS companies.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Builder Circle. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.